A brand new thermodynamic hot water system that retrofits to existing hot water cylinders, has hit the UK market. Launched by The Magic Thermodynamic Box Company Ltd, the new Little Magic Thermodynamic Box is the result of a massive spend in R&D and commitment by the company to give the British market a product that has specifically been designed for the British climate.
The new product is a third generation design, based on feedback from the earlier Little Magic Box system, but is now greatly improved giving better performance and reduced running costs, power consumption, vibration and sound emittance. It is also more compact and even easier to install.
Director Scott Styles says: “Although our innovative original product was received well, we knew we could do even better. We wanted something that was specific to the UK climate and their water systems rather than a warmer climate such as Spain or Portugal where the systems are designed to take advantage of more sun. We searched the UK for a manufacturing facility that would not just manufacture our product, but would also understand it and have the same drive and passion for it as we do.
“We found a world leader in air source heat pump technology based in Essex, a company that has been manufacturing these for 36 years with an exceptional history of innovation, as well as being a winner of the coveted National Heat Pump Installation of the Year 2012,” adds Scott.
The new product’s improved performance is due to a redesign of the internal layout and new, improved components designed to work with typical systems in the UK. It will still retrofit to an existing cylinder and is compatible with both vented and unvented systems, and with both gas (natural and LPG) and oil-fired boilers. Using tested, proven technology, the system works day and night, all year long generating hot water in all weathers, heating water to 55°C.
The system still works in conjunction with a black thermodynamic solar panel that can be mounted on an external wall or roof. Made from aluminium the panel uses a refrigerant liquid that absorbs energy from the ambient temperature outside as it circulates through the panel. This transforms the liquid into a gas, which carries the heat energy to the Little Magic Thermodynamic Box where it is compressed to increase the temperature. The spent gas reverts back to a liquid, which flows back in to the panel, allowing the process to be repeated.
Simultaneously, a water pump pulls cold water from the cylinder into the unit. This acts as a heat exchanger, extracting the heat from the compressed gas and then returning the heated water to the cylinder. This flow continues until the water in the cylinder reaches 55°C. Once this is achieved, the system goes into standby mode.
“The improved components and overall development of the new British made Little Magic Thermodynamic Box means that we have been able to increase daytime output by 30%, night time output by 20%, increased COP to a tested UK average of 3 at 7 degrees and panel heat collection up to 60%,” says Scott. “The maximum compatible size of a cylinder has now also increased up to 300 litres and has a faster recovery time.”
Rigorously tested the product has a 5 year manufacturers guarantee and will be on display at the company’s new trade showroom in Essex where heating and solar thermal installers are invited to visit for demonstrations. To download a new brochure visit www.magicthermodynamicbox.com
